Even US laws would find Tsvangirai subversive.

Even US laws would find MDC-T subversive

By Lloyd Whitefield Butler Jnr

A PRESS statement made by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai recently did not even mention the word "sanctions".

If Tsvangirai was trustworthy and was respected by the US and Britain, they would have given him the authority to eliminate all manner of sanctions illegally imposed on Zimbabwe.

Or, as an act of support, the West should lift the sanctions on his behalf to demonstrate honorable support and appreciation for his leadership.

The Press statement in question is full of emotive accusations and slander to appeal to mob rule.

No facts are given to substantiate claims. No mention of source material verifying his theory.

The language and vocabulary used is a mirror image of Tsvangirai’s state of mind.

The terms: ‘‘Steal victory from fellow brothers and sisters by using guns, sticks and screwdrivers; cold and callous; are ready for the final round; betrayed and traumatised; unleashed violence on his own children; Are we brave enough? Are we strong enough? Are we angry enough? Illegitimate regime of Zanu-PF to access more weapons for use against its own people.’’

These are words of a man scared and under duress of his overseers.

The statement is a reflection of a hapless and sad man with only one brief: Destroy President Mugabe and Zanu-PF and you will be rich.

The article "Zanu-PF should set conditions for run-off" in The Herald is excellent for political and economic discussions and public interest.

The conditions should be centred on:

l To whom MDC-T owes loyalty and allegiance,

l Making public their source of revenue,

l Providing Zimbabweans with proof that Tsvangirai was indeed fingered for assassination,

l Providing documentation to Zimbabweans on the ‘‘corruption’’ of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

l Providing documentation on how MDC-T ‘‘won’’ the March 29, 2008 election at, as they claim, with 50,3 percent of the votes.

The foregoing provisions and/or conditions should be made available by MDC-T, which presented them to the world as fact.

Treason, sedition and subversive activities are the federal charges MDC-T and its leadership would surely face if American laws where instituted in Zimbabwe.

The Government would have the legal right to arrest the MDC-T leadership through means of "extraordinary rendition" where "torture by proxy" is authorised.

The political behaviour of MDC-T in calling for and supporting illegal economic and trade sanctions against Zimbabwe in an attempt to cripple its infrastructure and invite foreign military forces and corporations; just for a change of government, are acts of treason without question according to US law.

In the US, a citizen can be charged with "conspiracy" for the mere mentioning of such subversive acts.

Under United States Code — Treason, Sedition and Subversive Activities — Title 18, Part I > Chapter 115 as currently published by the US government which reflects the laws passed by US Congress as of January 2, 2006 if applied to MDC-T would land them in Guantanamo Camp X-Ray prison.

The penalties can be death, life imprisonment, harsh confinement or as is presently done in America prison without trial or hearing.

For example, the following are seven US Codes that the MDC-T leadership should mull over for having already overtly supported foreign intervention in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs: (The author put Zimbabwe in brackets for emphasis)

l Section 2381. Treason: Whoever, owing allegiance to (Zimbabwe) the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within (Zimbabwe) the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than US$10 000; and shall be incapable of holding any office (in Zimbabwe) under the United States.

l Section 2382. Misprision of treason: Whoever, owing allegiance to (Zimbabwe) the United States and having knowledge of the commission of any treason against them, conceals and does not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President or to some judge of (Zimbabwe) the United States, or to the governor or to some judge or justice of a particular State, is guilty of misprision of treason and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than seven years, or both.

l Section 2383. Rebellion or insurrection: Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of (Zimbabwe) the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

l Section 2384. Seditious conspiracy: If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of (Zimbabwe) the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of (Zimbabwe) the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

l Section 2385. Advocating overthrow of Government: Whoever knowingly or willfully advocates, abets, advises, or teaches the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying the government of (Zimbabwe) the United States or the government of any State, Territory, District or Possession thereof, or the government of any political subdivision therein, by force or violence, or by the assassination of any officer of any such government; or Whoever, with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of any such government, prints, publishes, edits, issues, circulates, sells, distributes, or publicly displays any written or printed matter advocating, advising, or teaching the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying any government in (Zimbabwe) the United States by force or violence, or attempts to do so; or . . .

l Section 2389. Recruiting for service against (Zimbabwe) United States: Whoever recruits soldiers or sailors within (Zimbabwe) the United States, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, to engage in armed hostility against the same; or Whoever opens within (Zimbabwe) the United States, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, a recruiting station for the enlistment of such soldiers or sailors to serve in any manner in armed hostility against the United States . . .

l Section 2390. Enlistment to serve against (Zimbabwe) United States: Whoever enlists or is engaged within (Zimbabwe) the United States or in any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, with intent to serve in armed hostility against (Zimbabwe) the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

It is also against the law of (Zimbabwe) the United States Constitution to intervene in foreign governmental affairs, particularly if the nation is not a threat.

In South Africa, if US Codes were applied there the codes would have resulted in imprisonment for the International Transport Workers with charges of Treason, Sedition and Subversive Activities in their refusal to unload government cleared freight (i.e. a shipment from China to Zimbabwe via South Africa).

A visit to their ITF’s website (http://www.itfglobal. org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/1936) reveals their emissary surveillance network; it says: "International Transport Workers’ Federation — Press area

"An Yue Jiang news. Ship makes no attempt to offload arms, trade unions report.

"The ITF understands that the An Yue Jiang left Luanda during the afternoon of 4th of May and headed southbound at around 10 knots. We believe she passed Ponta Da Marca (Angola) earlier today and if speed and weather remain constant should arrive off, or pass, Cape Town on or around 12th May. The vessel’s next stop is not known at this stage.

"An Yue Jiang update. Ship makes no attempt to offload arms, trade unions report

"The ITF and ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) report the following news received from their fellow trade unionists in Angola: That the An Yue Jiang has left Luanda after unloading a cargo of cement and construction material only. No attempt was made to offload any armaments, and the ship sailed after taking on fuel and food.

"Trade unionists, including from the port workers’ union, maintained a watch on the ship and what came off and went on it throughout its stay in port. The police were also present.

"The ITF will supply an update on the vessel’s location tomorrow."

Is this a union to help fellow workers earn proper wages, health and work benefits?

The late US President Ronald Reagan shocked the US labour movement in 1981 when he fired 12 000 striking air traffic controllers for refusing to end their strike.

If there is one positive message the George Bush Doctrine has made known to the world is that every country should honour its patriotism with a Patriot Act.

Presidential debates in Zimbabwe by centering on Zimbabwe integrity, independence, self-rule, Zimbabwe land for Zimbabweans, and patriotism would easily dispel and expose disloyal sources.

Zanu-PF should set conditions for a run-off, as stated by Caesar Zvayi, by demanding that MDC-T state in writing the clearly defined objectives of foreign sanctions.

By providing proof how seven years of sanctions benefited Zimbabwe would give legitimacy to MDC-T as a patriotic pro-Zimbabwe political party.

Again, MDC-T should also be required to reveal their expenditures, foreign and domestic financial connections in order to determine whether it is a Zimbabwean political party or foreign agent.

Demand an answer for their support of blockading government strategic materials for Zimbabwe.

It is high time to shed the light of day on MDC-T: under oath and sworn Zimbabwean constitutional allegiance.

Publicly determine who does what law MDC-T respects.

The Zimbabwean Press and Parliament should demand written proof and public statements on the so-called atrocities and scandals MDC-T proclaimed as facts to the world.

As a last note, one of MDC-T’s objectives is to Look West (US and UK).

Alas, America’s Fortune 500 have already implemented their "Look East Policy" and has no interest in turning back; including US Vice President Dick Cheney’s Halliburton now based in Dubai and under Justice Department Securities and Exchange Commission investigation.

In America it’s called "outsourcing".

There are also US congressional debates questioning their business first loyalties to foreign governments.

l Lloyd Whitefield Butler Jnr is a freelance journalist and columnist, The Zimbabwe Guardian. He is based in Brooklyn, New York.